Switch-stand



F. A. CANTWELL.

SWITCH STAND. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2. 1920.

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A TTOR/VE VS F. A. CANTWELLL v SWITCH STAND. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 2, I920. r

, Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nvvmmn WITNESSES EA. Canfivell.

A TTORNE Y8 FLOYD AUGUSTUS CANTWELL, OF IRVING, KANSAS.

SWITCH-STAND.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

Application filed January 2, 1920. Serial No. 348,737.

To all iii/mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, FLovi) ApsUs'rUs Cax'rwiaut, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Irvin in the county of Irlarshnll and State of lxansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Stands, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in switch-stands.

An important object of the invention is to provide an lD'IPIOVQLl switch-stand in which the signaling means or taget is in position to indicate danger at all'times, ex? kept win-n the operating parts of the switchsi'and arc locked in position to maintain the switch points set for main line.

Another object is to provide an improved switch-stand of this character of simple and durable construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and comparatively easy and hex iensim to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages reside in the certain novel features of the construction, arrangement, and combination of parts as will become apparent as the description procecds, 1r breucc being had to the accom panyiug dran-ings forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 iso. front elevational view of the improvement showing the parts locked in position to maintain the switch set for main line and the target in clear;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the parts in intcrnici'liate position, the target being shown in danger;

Fig. '3 viewshowing the parts in intermediate position; portions broken away and shown in section for the sake of illustration;

Fig. i is a transverse sectional view on line 4--|: of Fig. 3;

F :7 is a detail view in side elevation, of the o] crating lovers, parts being shown in section for thesake of illustration;

Fig. 6 IS a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig.

Fig. 'i' is a transverse sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the target operating lever; and

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the target i001 and associated structure.

Referring to the drawing it will be seen my invention contemplates a switch-stand including a base 10 which supported upon is a fragmentary front elevational' the ties, not shown, on any suitable foundation adjacent the switch in a manner Wellknown in the art. A table 12 is supported. uponthe base 10 by the standards 11 and the table is provided with a bearing 13, see Fig. 3, for receiving the vertical shaft 16, and with spaced peripheral notches 14c and 1.5 for receiving the pivotal lock arm of the switch rod operating lever, all to be hereinafter more fully described.

Journaledin the bearing 13 of the table is the vertical switch rod 16, having a crank 17 at its lower end for connection with the connecting rod (not shown), Which operates the switch points to set them for the siding or for the main line in the well-known manner. A switch operating lever 18 is keyed to the vertical shaft 16, as shown at 18 in Fig. 6, the shaft 16 beingthus constrained to rotate with the operating lever 18. The outer end of the operating lever 18 is forked as shown at 19 to receive the inner end of the pivoted lock arm 20, which is pivotally connected to the operating lever 18 by a pivot pin'21. Vertically upstanding stop pins arranged slightly more than a quadrant apart on the table 12 limit the more meat of the operating lever 18 and also the shaft 16. These stop pins 22 are preferably formed integral with the table 12 and are spaced slightly from the notches 1 1 and 15, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. By virtue of the lateral extent of the vertical operating lever 18, when this lover abuts against either of the stop pins, the pivoted lock arm 20 is disposed over either the notch 14 or 15 and may therefore be dropped or swung downwardly into the respective notch.

A spool, indicated generally at 23, is loosely mounted on the shaft 16 and as shown in detail in Fig. 9 consists of a hub 2% having an integral lower flange 25 and an integral upper flange 26. The upper flange 26 is provided on its under side with a radially disposed. cutaway portion or notch 27, the walls of which are vertical, as shown, and the lower flange .25 is provided on its upper surface with a cutaway portion or notch 28. The notch 28 is slightly spaced about the circumference of the spool from the notch 27, and in the present em hodiment of the invention it is spaced to the left from the notch 27, as shown in Fig. 9. The wall of the notch 28 circumferentially nearest the notch 27 is inclined, as at 29, to provide an inclined plane, While the op posite wall 28 of the notch vertical, for a purpose to be more fully hereinafter described. The flanges and 26, together with their notches 27 and .98, constitute clutch nicmliicrs. The under si rise of the flange is snnvoth and rests upon the smooth upper surface of the end of the switch operating Loosely mounted on the hub 24 of the spool 23 is a split collar 30, see Fig. 7, the meeting ends of which are outwardly extended to form apertured cars 31. A target operating lever 32 has its inner end in the form of a yoke 33. The outer end of the 4 yoke 33 terminates in apertured ears 34 and otally secure the inner end of the operating target lever to the collar 80. Suilicient clearance is provided between the yoke 33 and the collar to permit the necessary movement when the lever 32 is raised. or lowered. On the upper and lower sides of the target operating lever adjacent the inn end thereof vertical clutch lugs 36 and 37, respectively, are provided and are preferably integral with the lever These clutch lugs 36 and 37 are adapted to engage respectively the vertical wall of the slot 27 and the vertical wall of the slot 28 to impart desired movement to the spool 23. The spool 23 is prevented from being displaced vertically by a cross pin 38, which extends through the op erating shaft 16 and bears against the upper side of the flange 26 of the spool.

A sleeve 39 has its lower end turned out wardly at right angles, as at 40, and bolted or otherwise secured to the upper side of the flange 26 of the spool, and extends upwz :dly beyond the upper end of the shaft 16. The upper end of the sleeve 39 is slightly reduced, as shown at 41, see Fig. 3 and in this reduced end is received and suit-ably secured the operating spindle 42 of the target 43. The target 43 is of conventional construction and, as usual, has its signaling face painted red. lVhen the red face of the target is so positioned. that it lies in a plane at right angles to the main line so that the red face of the target is plainly visible along the main line, the target is said to he in red that is to indicate danger or stop. \Vhen the target is so turned that the red face thereof can not be seen along the main line. it is said to be in clear that is in position to indicate safety or right-of-way. Av loose bearing 44 is provided adjacent the upper end of the sleeve 39 to accommodate the upper end of the shaft 16. It is to be noted, however, that normally there is a clearance between the upper end of the shaft 16 and the bearing 44. The target 43 is normally maintained in danger-indicating position, and, in. fact, is

always maintained in this positioin except when the switch points are set for main line and the operating means for the switch points are locked in position to maintain them set for the main line. For this purpose a coil spring 45 is mounted under considerable tension upon the upper end of the shaft 16. The upper end of this coil spring is seated in the shaft 16, as shown at 46, and the lower end of the coil spring is seated in the sleeve 39, as shown at 47, or, if desired, may be seated in the upper face of the upper flange 26 of the spool 2-3. The shaft 16 is relatively stationary, and the spring therefor being under considerable tension and properly wound, as shown in the drawing, tends to rotate the sleeve, spool, and target spindle so that the target will be rotated to rod, that is to dangeinindicating position. This tendency of the spring exists at all times, and. in order to maintain the target in clear, that is in. position iinlicating safety, or rigl1t-ofway, it is necessary to positively balance this tendency. To limit the rotation of the spool, sleeve, and target to danger, the lower flange 25) of the spool is provided with a radially extending projection 48, preferably formed integral there'- with which cooperates with a vertically upstanding stop pin 49.

The target-operating lever is arranged above the switch rod operating lever 18 and the pivoted lock arm 20, and the outer end of the operating lever 32 directly above the in nor end of the pivoted lock arm 20 is provided with a cavity adapted to receive the inner end of the lock arm 20 when the same is dropped into the notch 14 or 15, as the case may be. The inner end of the lock arm 20 is provided with a bolt seat 51 which cooperates with the spririg-projected bolt of a lock 50 arranged in the outer end of the operating lever 32. The lock may be of any conventional type but is preferably adapted to be operated by the standard switch key inserted in the key hole of the lock.

Adjacentthe inner walls of the cavity 50, the target-operating lever :32 is provided with a vertically depending lock plug 5-4, and when the lock arm 20 in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 5, with the lever 32 superposed upon the. lock arm and the lever 18, the lock plug is positioned in the recess defined by the under side of the lock arm 20, the inner walls of the forked end 19 and the adjacent wall of the switch rod operating lever 18. WVhen the lock arm 20 is in position lIlhQl'IllQt'llfltQ the notches l4 and 15, and consequently the switch is not set for either main line or siding, the look j arm 20 is alined with the operating lever 18 in the same horizontal plane and assumes the position well shown in dotted lines in Fig, In this position the lock plug can not enter the recess butrests upon the upper side llO iii)

until the switch has been set for main line,

the switch rod operating lever 18 is provided with a vertically upstanding stop pin 56 which is adapted to engage the target operating lever 32 and prevent movement of the lever past the lever 18 in the direction to actuate the target to the position to indicate clear. When the switch rod operating lever 18 has been moved to the position to set the switch in main line the target operating lever may be moved to actuate the target to position which indicates clear, but the target will not be maintained in this position until the lock arm 20 has been dropped or swung into" the slot 14, as due to the engage ment of the lock plug of the lever 32 with the inner end of the lock arm 20 the lever 32 is maintained between the flanges and 2G with clutch lugs 36 and 37 out of engagement with the notches of. these flanges. If, hi'nvever. the lock arm 20 has been dropped into the slot 14; the lock plug 54 enters the recess the lower clutch lug 37 engages the vertical wall of the notch 28 and the target 12 is maintained in. position to indicate clear. At this time the switch is locked set for the main line and it is only at this time that the target is maintained in clear.

It n'c'ferred, means may be employed. to automatically disengage the target operating lever and the switch rod o ierating lever 18 as soon as the switch lock has been operated upon to withdraw the loci: bolt 52 from engagement from the bolt seat 51 of the lock arm 20. For this purpose a spring 57 is disposed between the levers 1S and 22, as shown in Fig. 5. This spring may be oi. any type hut it prr-rterably consists oil a leaf s 'iring secured at its outer end to the outer end oi" the lever and bowed downmirdly from the lever 32 so that its lower end hears against the upper face of the lever As soon as the lock is actuated to withdraw the bolt the spring 57 throws the lever upwardly so that the lock plug 52 is withdrawn from the recess and the clutch lug 37 is withdrawn from the notch 28 thus allowin e "l3 to respond to the action oi? the spring Any suitable housing is provided for the spool 2 and it preferably consists simply of a. \YJilll'H-l plate ob disposed as shown in dotted lines in Fig. -1.

In practice the switch is normally set for stop pin main line, the operating levers of the switch stand being disposed as shown in Fig. 1. In

order to set the switch for the siding it is necessary to actuate the lock 50 by the key 53 to withdraw the bolt 52 from engagement with the seat 51 of thelock arm 20. As soon as this occurs it the spring 57 is employed the target operating lever is disengaged from the le er 18 and the lock arm 20, and the taris-at once thrown to red. In any event, acsoon as the target operating lever is raised so that the inner end oi the lock arm 20 does not project into the cavity 50 and so that the lock plug 5a is withdrawn from the recess 55, the clutch lug 37 no longer engages t 1e vertical wall of the notch 28 and the target 13 is thrown to red. The target operating lever 32 is then moved transversely across the table 12 until it strikes the 22 and in this position the lock plug 237 has moved up the inclined plane 29 so that the upper lock plug 36 is disposed within the notch 27. The lock arm 20 may then be raised and moved transversely across the table 12 to notch 15 and when the lock arm 20 is lowered or swung to the notch in the switch is thus set for siding.

When it is desired to reset the switch to main line the lock arm 20 is raised and to-' gether with the. lever 18 is moved trans versely in opposite direction across the table 12 to the notch 1 1 and the lock arm then lowered into this notcln as shown in Fig. The lever 3 having its clutch lug 2:36 in engagement with the notch 27 is then 'l'turnec transve" ly across the table to the notch llcar inn with it the spool 23 and conseriuently the target l3. ll hen the lever 32 has been turned so as to engage the lock pin 56 the target 43 is slightly passed position to indicate clear or rightof-way. As the lever 32 is dropped to position shown in Fig. 5. the clutch lug 36 moves downwardly out of the recess 27 and the spring 45 then turns the target around to clear. lVhen the target has been turned to clear its motion i, arrestedby engagement otthe clutch lug 37 with the verticallouwr wall of the notch 28, and the target is maintained in clear as long; as the switch is locked set for main line. it is apparent that unless the switch is set locked for main line, irrespective of the position of the switch lever. lock arm; or ta get lever. the target is thrown or maintained in position to indicate danger.

I claim:

1. A switch stand of the character ds ribed comprising a shaft. a switch operatingglever connected to said shaft. lock arin pivoted to said switch operating lever and prowddcd with a bolt sent. said loch arm in unlocked position fox-mi with said switch lover a ci'n'itinuous, nnh n top surface and in locked position defining with said switch lever a recess, a target, spring means for maintaining said target .in red, at target operating lever superposed upon said switch operating lever and provided with a cavity on the under side of its outer end and a depending lock plug adjacent said cavity, a spool upon which said target lever is loosely mounted havin spaced flanges provided on their inner surfaces with notches spaced circumferentially about said spool with respect to each other, clutch lugs on said target lever, one of said clutch lugs being engageable with one of said notches to draw said target from red to past clear and the other of said lugs being engageable with the other of said notches to maintain said target in clear when said lock arm is in locked posi tion and said lock plug entered in the inner recess defined by said lock arm and said clutch lever, and a lock in the outer end of said target lever having a spring bolt ongageable with the bolt seat of said lock arm.

2. A switch stand of the character dcseribed comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a lock arin pivoted to said switch operating lever, said lock arm in unlocked position forming with said switch lever a continuous, unbroken top surface and in locked position defining with said switch lever a recess, a target, spring means for maintaining said target in red, at target operating lever superposed upon said switch operating lever and provided with acavity on the under side of its outer end and a depending lock plug adjacent said cavity, connecting means operable to establish connection between said target lever and said target whereby said target may be turned to clear and maintained in clear when said lock arm is in locked position and said lock plug entered in the inner recess defined by said lock arm and said clutch lever. and a lock in the outer end of said target lever having a spring bolt engageable with said lock arm.

3. A switch stand of the character described comprising a table having spaced peripheral notches, a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said switch operating lever. a lock arm pivoted to said switch lever and engageable with said notches, a target, a spool loosely mounted upon said shaft having upper and lower flanges provided on their inner faces with notches spaced 'circumferentially with respect to each other,

a sleeve connecting said spool with said target, a coil spring mounted on said shaft and having one end secured in said shaft and the other end secured to said spool to maintain said target in red, a target operating lever loosely mounted on said spool, an upper clutch lug on said target lever. a lower clutch lug on said target lever, the upper clutch lug being engageable with the upper notch to turn said target to red and the lower clutch lug being engageable with the lower notch to maintain said target in red, and means for preventing the target lever from passing the switch lever in the direction to move the target to clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

4. A switch stand of the character described comprising a table having spaced peripheral notches, a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a lock arm pivoted to said switch lever and engageable with said notches, a target, a spool loosely mounted upon said shaft having upper and lower flanges provided. on their inner faces with notches spaced circumferent-ially with respect to each other, a sleeve connecting said spool with said target, a coil spring mounted on said shaft and having one end. secured in said shaft and the other end secured to said spool to maintain said target in red, a target operating lever loosely mounted on said spool, an upper clutch lug on said target lever and a lower clutch lug on said target lever, the upper clutchlug being engageable with the upper notch to turn said target to clear and the lower clutch lug being eugageable with the lower notch to maintain said target in clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A switch stand of the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a target, a spool loosely mounted upon said shaft having upper and lower flanges provided on their inner faces with notches spaced circumferentially with respect to each other, means connecting said target and said spool, spring means adapted to maintain said target in red, a target operating lever loosely mounted on said spool, an upper clutch lug on said target lever and a lower clutch lug on said target lever, the upper clutch lug being engageable with the upper notch to turn said target to clear and the lower clutch lug being engageable with the lower notch to maintain said target in clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A switch stand of the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft. a lock arm pivoted to said switch operating lever and provided with a bolt seat, a target, a target operating lever superposed above said switch lever and said lock arm and having a. cavity in its outer end, means connecting said target lever with said target, and a lock mounted in the outer end of said target lever having a spring bolt cooperating with the bolt seat of said lock arm, all as and for the purposes set forth.

7 A switch stand of the character de scribed comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a target. a target operating lever superposed on said switch. operating lever, means connecting said target lever with said target; and a stop pin upstanding from said switch operating lever and engag reahle with said target lever for preventing the movement of said target lever he wnd said switch lever in a direction to move said target lever to clear, all and for the purposes set forth.

8. A. switch stand of the character described comprising a table having spaced beveled notches, a shaft, a switch operating lever cmjinccted to said shaft, a lock arm pivoted to said switch lever, and engageable with said notches, a target, spring means for maintaining said target in red, a target operating lover, means connecting said target lever with said target, and a stop for preventing the movement of said target lever beyond :---aid switch lever in the direction to move said target to clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

S). A switch stand of the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a target, spring means for maintaining said target in red, at target operating lever, means connecting said target lever with said target and an upstanding stop pin rigid with said switch lever for preventing the movement of said target lever beyond said switch operating lever in the direction to more said target to clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

1.0. A switch stand of the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating low-r connected to said shaft, a target, spring means for turning and maintaining said target in red, means for limiting the movement of the target to red, a target operating lorcnand means connected to said target lever and the target.

it. it. switch stand of the character descrilied comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected tosaid shaft, a target, spring means for maintaining said target in red, :1 target operating lever, means for loclring in engagement said target operating lever and said switch operating lever in position to nmintain the switch set "for main line and the target in clear. and automatic means for disengaging said target lever from said switch war when said lock is released whereby to allow said spring means to throw said target to red.

.12. it switch stand of "the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating lover connected to said shaft, a target, spring means for maintaining said target-in red, a target operating lever, means for locking in engagement said target operating lever and said switch operating lever in position to maintain the switch set for main line and the target in clear, and automatic spring means for disengaging said target lever from said switch lever when said lock is released whereby to allow said spring means to throw said target to red.

13. A, switch stand of the character described compi'sing means for operating the switch, a target, means for automatically moving the target to and maintaining said target in red at all times except when the means for operating the switch is locked in position to maintain theswitcl'i set for main line, a target operating lever and target in clear when said switch 0 ieratin means is locked in position to maintain the switch for main line.

15. ii switch stand of the character described comprising means for operating the switch, a target, spring means for maintain ing said target in red, a clutch member connected with target, a target operating lever, and a clutch mei'nlicr on said lever and acapted to COllPr ate with said iilSt-11ti11QLl clutch member for establishing connection between said lever and said target. all as and for the purposes set forth.

is. A switch stand or the character dexcribed cmnprising meansv for operating the switch, a target, means for automatically roving the target to and maintaining the target in red except wnen the means for operating the switch are locked in position to maintain the switch Set for main line, 013- crating means for said target adapted to move said targetto clear and means operable to maintain said tar et in clear when said switch operating Dir ns is maintained in position to hold the switch set for main line. all as and for the purposes se forth.

1?. it swi h stand oi the character described con'iprising means for operating the switch, a target, means for automatically moving the target to and maintaining the target in red except wncn the means for operating the switch ar locked in position to maintain the switch set for. l ,ain line, operating means for said target adapted to move said get to clear and means operable to maintain. said target in clear, and means for preventing the operation of said last named means. except when said switch operating means is maintained in position to hold the switch set for main line, all, as and for the pur ioses set forth.

18. A switch stand of the character described comprising means for operating the switch, a target, means for automatically moving the target to and maintaining the target in red and operating means for said target.

19. A switch stand of the character described comprising means for operating the switch, a target, spring means for normally maintaining said target in red, clutch mem bers connected with said target, a target operating lever, and clutch members on said lever, one of said last-named clutch members being adapted to engage said firstnamed clutch members to throw said target to clear, the other of said last-named clutch members being adapted to engage the/other of said first-named clutch members to maintain said target in clear when said switch operating means is locked in position to maintain said switch set for main line.

20. A switch stand of; the character described comprising means for operating the switch, a target, spring means for normally maintaining said target in red, a spool connected to said target and having spaced flanges notched on their inner side to constitute clutch members, a target operating lever loosely mounted on said spool between said flanges, clutch lugs on the opposite sides of said lever and each engageable with the respective notch of said spool, all as and for the purposes set forth. I

:21. A switch stand of the character de- V scribed comprising means for operating the 01 said spool, all as and for the purposes set forth.

22. A switch stand of the character described comprising a table having spaced peripheral notches, a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, alock arm pivoted to said switch lever and engageable with said notches, a target, a spool loosely mounted upon said switch rod having upper and lower flanges provided on their inner faces with notches spaced circumferentially with respect to each other, a sleeve connecting said spool with said target, a target operating lew'er loosely mounted on said spool, an upper clutch lug on said target lever and a lower clutch lug on said target lever, the upper clutch lug being cngageable with the upper notch to turn said target to clear and the lower clutch lug being engageable with the lower notch to maintain said target in clear, all as and for the purposes set forth.

A switch stand of the character described comprising a shaft, a switch operating lever connected to said shaft, a target, a spool loosely mounted upon said switch rod having upper and lower flanges provided on their inner faces with notches spaced circumterentially with respect to each other, means connecting said target and said spool, a target operating lever loosely mounted on said spool, an upper clutch lug on said target lever and a lower clutch lug on said target lever, the upper clutch lug being engageable with the upper notch to turn said target to clear and the lower clutch lug being engageable with the lower notch to maintain said target in clear. all as and for the purposes set forth.

F LOYD AUGUSTUS CAN'UVTGLL. 

